If you are a graduate and looking to start a career in teaching you are required to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Most teacher training courses give you QTS but some offer a lot more besides. Choosing the right course for you is the key to success. You should try to weigh up all the related pros and cons of each type of course and not simply look at finances although this may have a bearing.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses not only focus on teaching methods but also look more deeply into the wider aspects of education and learning. Students on a PGCE course gain a more holistic and complete view of the education field, which in turn helps them to hone their own practice and develop as a teacher. PGCE courses offer more Masters Credits in recognition of the greater level of understanding PGCE students gain from their training. Find out more
There are two versions of the programme, School Direct Training (PGCE) and School Direct Salaried. A brief summary of the routes follows. For more information about the two School Direct routes visit the School Direct section.
School Direct Training (PGCE)
School Direct Training (PGCE) has many similarities to the standard WMC PGCE route but with the added benefits of:
School Direct Training (PGCE) is currently only available for Secondary Dance and Primary - General with WMC.
School Direct Salaried
School Direct Salaried is seen very much as the replacement for the GTP employment-based route. Trainees are employed as an unqualified teacher during training and receive a salary. This training route was introduced to support subjects in which there are a shortage of teachers, e.g. Physics, Chemistry and MFL. This course mainly focuses on the development of teaching skills with less emphasis on developing pedagogical theory. This route will lead to QTS with an optional 30 Masters Credits. Find out more
To apply to the West Midlands Consortium, please use the UCAS ITT application system. For more information see the application section of our website